What makes a bike urban? Well, it really means different things to different people. Some of you will be picturing a Dutch-style bicycle when you think of city living, and for many these are great for getting around town.

But here at TWC, we prefer something a little more robust for our commute and weekday fitness rides. That’s where hybrids come in, and there’s now a huge range of them that are specifically designed with the pavement in mind.

Six of the best women’s urban bikes for under £700

Thankfully, it’s now also much easier to find a women-specific bike in this category too. Smaller parts and skirt-friendly step-through frames are increasingly popular.

Of course, unisex bikes also have two wheels and therefore will fulfil many commuters criteria. But we think women’s specific bicycles can also be really beautiful as well as practical.

When buying an urban bike, make sure to look for additional features like mudguards and pannier racks, or the right fixings for you to fit these in the future. You may also want to consider chain guards to keep things clean, and hub gears to minimise the need for maintenance.

And finally remember that riding position is very much a personal choice, however it’s likely that in the city you’ll want to be more relaxed than on your road bike, with a great view of the road. Flat bars are therefore more common on urban bikes.